A POLICE officer was knocked unconscious after his patrol vehicle was ‘rammed head-on’ by a suspected stolen car.

The crash involving a red Audi RS6 happened shortly after 5am yesterday and left two male police officers needing hospital.

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The Audi is believed to have been stolen in Newchurch Road, Stacksteads, at 4.35am and police tracked it to Green Haworth Golf Club in Willows Lane, Accrington, using an onboard locator.

As police attempted to stop the car it is alleged their marked vehicle was rammed. Three men are said to have fled the scene.

Two men, aged 19 and 22, from Accrington and a 24-year-old man from Blackburn arrested on suspicion of burglary yesterday have now been released without charge.

Both of the police officers, who are from the force’s road policing unit, were taken to Royal Preston Hospital.

The officer driving suffered a broken wrist but was discharged yesterday morning. His passenger suffered neck and spinal injuries and was still receiving treatment yesterday.

A silver Volkswagen Golf was found close to the scene and police said it had also been stolen. It is being linked with the theft of the Audi, which has a top speed of around 155mph.

A police spokesman said: “We were called around 4.35am on September 22 following reports of a burglary in Rossendale.

“A red Audi RS6 had allegedly been stolen from an address in Newchurch Road, Stacksteads.

“Using the car’s tracking device officers traced the vehicle to Green Haworth Golf Club in Willows Lane, close to Accrington. The device had been activated shortly before 5am.

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“As officers attempted to stop the Audi, the vehicle was involved in a collision with a police car, injuring two police officers.

“The Audi overturned and several people made off from the scene.

“Both officers were taken to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment.

“Two men aged 19 and 22 from Accrington and a 24-year-old man from Blackburn were all later arrested on suspicion of burglary.

“A silver Volkswagen Golf which is suspected of being stolen was found close to the scene.”

Meanwhile residents have spoken of their shock at the incident.

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Cliodhna Gibson, 18, who lives at nearby Biggins Farm, said: “Police came down to our farm at 5am with police dogs looking for three men who had run off. We were woken by our dogs barking.

“We didn’t realise how close it was to the house. We thought it was on Haslingden Old Road.

“Because the road was blocked we had the only access off the lane so we were letting neighbours out and driving the police up to the scene.

“I was asking the police if they had caught the men because I was worried about opening up an old barn and finding someone hiding in it.

“From what I have been told they were tracked using the tracker on the car. They were up at the golf course trying to cut the tracker off. There was a right mess left on the carpark.

“What has happened is shocking. It is normally a nice area. But it is quite remote so that is probably why they have come up here.”

Sergeant Rob Gomery said: “Our investigation into this incident remains on-going and we would like to speak to anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the red Audi prior to the collision.

“If anyone saw the Audi or has any information that could assist with our enquiries I would urge them to contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.